Why the UFC Needs Chael Sonnen More Than Sonnen Needs the UFC

Currently one of the organization's most profitable pay-per-view draws, and a full-time analyst on Fuel TV's UFC Tonight, the following question has become legitimate: Does Sonnen need the UFC more than the company needs him?

The UFC needs Sonnen and all of the other fighters or it has no business. There is a symbiotic relationship to it but the fighters are more important than the promoter. If Zuffa hadn't gone for the discount price form SEG all those years ago, the peices would of been picked up else where and MMA would still be awesome.

UFC has a good thing with Sonnen, I'm not a fan, but I can still see the benefit he brings to the bank accounts. Not so sure he can be any bigger outside the sport then he is now though, the same maybe but he is at or around his ceiling for the most part.

I think the ufc WANTS Sonnen more than Sonnen WANTS the ufc. Sonnen can easily get a commentator or sports analyst job where ever he chooses. The ufc can do without Sonnen but they know Sonnen's mouth will bring in a lot more viewers which equates to a lot more money.

I remember watching old tapes of Ali and I realized people were crazy about him not because he was such a good boxer but because he was such a great trash talker.